The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-05
ROOM FOR THE BOYS.
BY HELEN A. LAWRENCE.

We hear and read great deal in these
days about the increase of home opportu
mites and the development Of home tai
emit; but as we glance over the magazine
and newspaper articles devoted to thii
subject, we almost invariably find that the
hints for domestic culture are given fol
the express benefit of the giIls.
Where are the boys of the household
to come in? Are they of no account in the
plans for home education? Or are, the
boys SO well developed as to morals anC
manners, so perfectly able to find congen
ial employment and suitable amusement.
for themselves, that nobody need give
them tn ught?
We are Obliged to confess that the
most of the boys whom we know do not
come under this class. They are bright,
honest, mauly boys; but we find that
they need little advice and help once in
a while; little encouragement, little
praise and the manifestation of little
appreciative and sympathetic interest III
their tasks and recreations, just as the
girls whom we know need the same.
There is the Speedwell family, for ex-
ample. Everybody in town knows the
Speedwells. They are genial and cult
waited people whom it is pleasure to
know.
The privileged guest at the SpeedweIl
mansion, will be likely, almost any even
ing to find the family in the cosy, we'll
lighted library. The Hon. Mr. Speed
we'll reclines luxuriouely in his easy
chair as he reads his Daily Tribune The
Speedwell mamma occupies the place of
honor at the table, as is her cheerfully
accorded right and privilege.
Helen, the eldest daughter, is also COM
fortsbly ensconced, absorbed in her
library book; while Marian sits conven-
iently near the lights with her silks and
fosses spread out around her, while she
works, upon strip of plush, some mar
vel in Kepsington embroidery.
Presently Tom, the nine-yesr-old, ap-
proaches the table with his mucilage
bottle and postage stamp album in his
hand.
ooh, TomT calculates Mamma Speed
well, "don't bring your mucilsge to the
table again. You have just about ruin
ed the cloth alreadyP'
xuoo roaxu IN aoror - ,,oaro1,1
felt; and sure enough there were two or
three little soiled rings upon it just the
size of the mucilage bottle.
"It is impossible to get them outp
signs mamma.
ooh. I'll spread out newspaper" re-
plies Tom encouragingly. But at this
moment an uulucky accident occurs.
Over goes the mucilsge; the sticky fluid
runs into the knots of gay embroidery
silk; there is scream, scramble, ard
when peace is restored, the embroidery is
going on as successfully as before; but
the postage-stamp enthusiast has laid
aside his collection, and there are no
more stamps to be pasted in this evening.
Half an hour later, brother Tim enters
with a disguised expression upon his
usually serene and hopeful face.
whats the trouble my SOM" asks
Papa Speedwel good-naturedy.
"Oh, nothingl only 1 can't finish my
desk, and it's Of no use to try'
"But boy shouldn't get discouraged
when he hes undertaken anything of
that kind. Persevere is the word. Don't
give up at triAes."
"Perseverel Well, 1 would if I had
some tools that were worth pin
This jack knife that Uncle John gave me,
is the only decent tool I ownP
"Why, my dear" interrupts the mother,
where are all those nice tools which came
in the set you had last ChIistmas2'
'Pshawl those baby thingsl they we're
nothing but toys any way. Plares that
won't plane ANYTHING and saws that won't
sa a 4ything don't suit me. want a reg
ular set of carpenters tools that are
ma ie to use and good for something"
Mrs. Speedwell looks inquiringly at
her husband.
"Why, Tim" replies the father, look
ing mp a moment from his newspaper,
"sueh a set Of tools would cost anywhere
from ten to twenty-five dollars. 1t would
be great extravaganza"
Tim glsncss at the pretty work in his